chauffeur

American  

[shoh-fer, shoh-fur] / ˈʃoʊ fər, ʃoʊˈfɜr /

noun

1. a person employed to drive a private automobile or limousine for the owner.

2. a person employed to drive a car or limousine that transports paying passengers.

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verb (used with object)

1. to drive (a vehicle) as a chauffeur.

2. to transport by car.

   Saturday mornings I have to chauffeur the kids to their music lessons.

verb (used without object)

1. to work as a chauffeur.

   He chauffeured for a time right after the war.

chauffeur British  

/ ˈʃəʊfə, ʃəʊˈfɜːz, ʃəʊˈfɜː /

noun

1. a person employed to drive a car

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verb

1. to act as driver for (a person)

   he chauffeured me to the stadium

   he chauffeurs for the Duke

Other Word Forms

• chauffeuse noun
• unchauffeured adjective
• well-chauffeured adjective

Etymology

Origin of chauffeur

1895–1900; < French, equivalent to chauff(er ) to heat ( chafe ) + -eur -eur

Example Sentences

His parents worked for a wealthy family, his mother as a cook and his father as a chauffeur.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The temporary chauffeur, freshly hired by New England, was named Josh McDaniels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

As someone who dislikes being behind the wheel, the idea of having him chauffeur me around tipped the scales in his favor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Bob Hoyt, who was wearing a leather chauffeur hat and yellow suspenders that look liked measuring tape, served in the Navy from 1966 to 1970.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2025

Worked as a butler and chauffeur before returning to Germany.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple